Rethinking education development cooperation in new times through Bauman’s theory of modernity

Contemporary society is undergoing an unprecedented level of change, characterized by uncertainty, instability, and insecurity. Long-held certainties are being replaced by unpredictability, impacting various aspects of human life. Meanwhile, education development cooperation has achieved notable successes; however, it has also faced substantial criticism. Education development cooperation is affected by social circumstances and contexts, necessitating adaptation to rapidly changing social conditions. This study aims to explore how education development cooperation can effectively respond to these social changes and adapt to new contexts, adopting Zygmunt Bauman’s theory of modernity. By analyzing global education agendas, this study seeks to identify limitations and propose future directions for education development cooperation.